HAVAN/YAJNA : the Sacrificial Fire.

[Guest guest]

Fire lives in the sky born of lighting and underground in the

churning

bowels of volcanoes. Red like human blood, warm like the human body

and animated with living power, its almost personified. When ignited

to a blaze out of control, it moves and devours violently growing

hungrier as it goes. Yet, after the rage of its all-consuming

devastation, it gives back its vanquished as ash, suitable for

fertilizing the earth it burnt. It drives away predatory animals at

night and shines brightly day or night, signifying eternal life and

inner light. It renders raw food cooked and edible and molds porous

dirt and clay into watertight pottery. Alchemic experiments , which

attempt to purify mineral substances and turn them into gold, use it

to recrystalize lower elements into newer and higher forms. Fire is

the great transformer, graciously wielding its flame in a number of

ways, forever defying judgement of good and bad.

 

With its variety of effects upon the forces of man and nature, fire

is

perhaps one of the most symbolically complex phenomena in the history

of human culture. It has always been an important part of religious

rites worldwide. Its chief function in religion is similar to that of

its opposite, water to purify. Yet, there is nothing like

purification

by fire. In its ruthless efficiency and ultimate purification it

leaves nothing behind. The widespread ritual use of incense smoke in

purification rites is based on the transforming powers of fire ( as

well as additional purificatory powers of sweet smells ). Exposure to

sun and intense heat are also regarded as cleansing and the making of

antiseptic.

 

All the world religions have worshipped the fire as a most benevolent

element. From times immemorial the sacrificial fire has been the most

important items of our heritage. Every auspicious function, ceremony,

worship or Pooja starts with the fire in some form or the other.

Every

religious house-holder performs a small HAVAN every morning/evening

in

his/her residence to performs Arti of the diety with a special Deepak

( lamp ) a candle or incense sticks. The purpose of performing HAVAN

and related rituals has been the fulfillment of some materialistic

desire or for expressing gratitude to the GODDESS and the elements

for

fulfillment of cherished desires/blessings/boon.

 

The word "yajna" is a noun derived from the sanskrit verb root "yaj",

which is usually translated as "to sacrifice". The basis of

yajna/Havan the pouring of food offerings or oblations into Agni, the

sacrificial fire. The mythological explanation set forth by the

post-vedic literature is that Agni receives the oblations poured into

him, and carries them to the celestials for whom the oblations are

intended. In this role, Agni is analogous to Hermes, the Greek

messenger of the gods.

 

Havan is performed by using ghee ( boiled and filtered butter ) and

other specified ingredients such as twigs, dried leaves of selected

/prescribed trees, TIL-oil-seeds, barley, rice, wheat, sugar or gur,

dry fruits, coconuts, raisins, Agar, Guggul, saffron musk,

vermillion,

turmeric as well as the dry timber of specified trees. All these

substances when burnt in the fire in well graduated/regulated

quantities with every chant of selected mantra, together with

spoonfuls of ghee release smoke with gases rich in beneficial

properties. Repeat Havans multiply the potency. A Havan is the best

and most economical means of purifying environmental pollution. With

accompanying chants and the blowing of the conch , bell or drum etc,

the effectiveness of the gases become manifold.

 

 

Om ParaShaktiye Namaha